Facts: The Scalloped Hammerhead

Scalloped hammerheads are moderately large sharks with a global distribution in warm temperate and tropical marine waters. They are found from the surface to depths of 3400 ft. Their most distinguishing feature is their hammer-shaped head. Scalloped hammerheads can be distinguished from other hammerhead species by the ridges along the front edges of the head. The eyes and nostrils are located at the extreme ends of the head. The broad shape of the head enables the shark's sensing organs to find prey, like stingrays, buried in the sand. Adults spend most of their time offshore in midwater. They are more likely to congregate in large schools during the daytime and disperse at nighttime to forage by themselves. They feed on bony fish, cephalopods, sharks, and rays. Females migrate to coastal areas to give birth. Females give birth to live young every 1-2 years with a gestation period of 11-12 months. Litter sizes are typically 12-41 pups. Juveniles stay in shallow coastal waters, such as bays and mangroves, to shelter from predators. Scalloped hammerheads can grow up to 14 ft long, though 6-8 ft is more common. They can live over 30 years. They are considered shy and not likely to approach divers. They are threatened by commercial fishing, primarily for the shark fin trade. Their oil, meat, and skin are also used. They are one of preferred species for shark fin soup. Their schooling behavior makes them particularly vulnerable to capture. They have undergone steep declines in all oceans and are currently listed as critically endangered. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!